“Mad Hot Ballroom” was the recent surprise sleeper hit of the film festival circuit and one of the top ten highest grossing documentaries ever. Told from a group of 10- and 11- year-old boys’ and girls’ candid, sometimes hilarious perspective, they are transformed from typical kids into “ladies and gentlemen,” on their way to the citywide Ballroom Dance competition.
The movie has sparked a new generation of young Ballroom Dance enthusiasts who want to learn how to Quickstep, Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Cha Cha, and Salsa. Remarked Robert Tang, three-time Canadian and two-time North American Undefeated Amateur Standard Ballroom Champion, “Here in Burlington, one of our semi-private sessions consist of a group of siblings and school friends from Dundas who travel each week to take lessons with us. Initially, they wanted to learn for fun, but are now determined to begin competing next year!”
Added wife and dance partner, Beverley Cayton-Tang, “In another session, we have three young boys from Caledonia who are learning to Waltz, Rumba, and Cha Cha with their mother, aunt, and grandmother. It has become a regular Sunday afternoon learning experience for this multi-generational family.”
The interest has also expanded to young competitive Ice Dancers who train with the Tangs in order to learn Ballroom technique and styling for their skating routines. “It’s really exciting to be able to pass on our technical knowledge, presentation skills, and passion for excellence that may inspire a new generation of potential Canadian Champions not only in Ballroom but also Ice Dancing.”
Ballroom Dancing is enjoying a strong resurgence, not only with Mad Hot Ballroom, but also with such recent Hollywood hits as “Shall We Dance?”, ABC Television’s reality dance contest, “Dancing with the Stars”, and Fox Television’s “So You Think You Can Dance”. Even Harry, Hermione, and Ron Weasley were featured Ballroom Dancing at the Yule Ball in the recent “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”. The Tang’s own websites, www.dancescape.com andwww.dancescape.TV, have grown to become the largest Dance communities on the Internet.
In fact, the media agency for Paramount Pictures recently contacted the Tangs to partner with them for a Contest giveaway that is open to youths, teens and their families to enter an exclusive ‘Shake It All Night Long’ contest at www.dancescape.com. The grand prize is a US $200 American Express gift card and a copy of the official Mad Hot Ballroom soundtrack! Nine runners up will receive a copy of the soundtrack as well.
Beginning Monday, January 23rd, The Tangs are offering for the first time, a “For Absolute Beginners Only” Ballroom Group Workshop dedicated to Youths and Teens who have never danced before or have limited dance experience. The program will cover such dances as the Foxtrot, Quickstep, Waltz, Cha Cha, Rumba, and Salsa. Youths and teens will also learn about dance floor etiquette and be able to impress their families and friends at Weddings, Big Band/Jazz Events, Cruises, Gala Balls, Corporate Events, or other Social Functions.
Throughout their competitive career, Beverley and Robert have been featured on such television programs as “The Things We Do For Love” on the Life Network and “W5” on CTV. This past June, they appeared as the official Ballroom Dance instructors of the W-Network’s new television series, “GROOMED”, hosted by Paul Hogan, best known for his show-stealing performance in the hit reality series “Joe Millionaire”. GROOMED’s goal is to put unpolished, ungainly men through “gentlemen’s boot camp” in preparation for a big event. The pilot episode transformed an awkward husband-to-be into a dashing “waltzing” Prince Charming for his wedding.
For more information about the DanceScape “For Absolute Beginners Only” Youth & Teen Ballroom Program, call (905) 633-8808, E-mail:info@dancescape.com, or visit www.dancescape.com/lessons. To enter the Paramount Pictures “Mad Hot Ballroom” Contest, visitwww.dancescape.com.